Gardening Coordinator

Wahmei; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Wahmei in San Francisco seeks a Garden Coordinator for Alice Fong Yu Alternative School. The role involves teaching garden classes to elementary students, developing garden curriculum, and maintaining outdoor spaces.

The ideal candidate will have experience in outdoor education and gardening, along with the ability to motivate and support child development. The position aligns with SFUSD’s calendar and requires a commitment to a safe learning environment.

Qualifications

• At least two years experience teaching school aged youth outdoors.
• Two years experience gardening or farming.
• Comfortable lifting objects up to fifty pounds.

Responsibilities

• Teach garden classes for elementary students biweekly.
• Develop garden curriculum that aligns with educational standards.
• Maintain the garden with the help of volunteers.

Skills

Teaching school aged youth in an outdoor setting

Gardening/farming experience

Maintaining outdoor spaces

Creating and managing garden curriculum

Effective communication with teachers and students

Job description

Wah Mei is the first Chinese American bilingual school to be established in San Francisco. Since our first class in 1974, our preschool program successfully promotes multiculturalism in developmental activities that emphasize both learning and playing for our participants. Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing high quality Chinese-English bi/trilingual multicultural environment that promotes children’s development while building a supportive community for their families. Our programs include Early Care & Education, Before and Afterschool, Weekend Chinese Classes, and Summer Programs at multiple sites. Wah Mei provides out of school time programming at Alice Fong Yu Alternative School. This position is a partnership between the two organizations and is sponsored by Alice Fong Yu Parent Association. Alice Fong Yu Alternative School is the nation's first Chinese immersion public school. It is also one of the first schools in SFUSD to build a school garden, which is robust and well loved, complete with egg-laying hens.

About the role

We are seeking a Garden Coordinator at Alice Fong Yu Alternative School. The Garden Coordinator will be responsible for two (2) to three (3) 30-45 minute daytime classes per day and will report to school administration. The Garden Coordinator will work 7 hours per day as the Garden Coordinator. There is a potential for additional hours, in the Before and After school program. The Garden Coordinator will partner with school administrators and teachers to develop a garden curriculum that fits within the standards and topics of San Francisco Unified School District’s science and social studies curriculum for each grade, kindergarten through fifth grade. This position will focus on garden teaching and work in partnership with school and community volunteers on garden maintenance. The position will follow SFUSD's school calendar year (180 days).

What you’ll do

• Teach garden classes for all elementary students on a biweekly basis, with two to three classes each day;
• Effectively interact with students in an outdoor setting, providing a physically and emotionally safe learning environment;
• Motivate, inspire and support child development by building effective relationships to match each child’s individual needs;
• Develop garden curriculum in partnership with school administrators and teachers that enhances teachers’ curriculum units and meets educational standards;
• Build strong relationships and effectively communicate with teachers to best meet students’ needs;
• Maintain the garden in partnership with parent and community volunteers;
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least two years experience teaching school aged youth in an outdoor setting; ability to project your voice and command a classroom in an outdoor setting;
• Two years experience gardening/farming;
• Comfortable maintaining outdoor spaces and organizing materials;
• Comfortable modeling respect and encouraging students’ interests and talents;
• Passionate about providing hands‑on learning experiences that encourage curiosity and engagement with the garden and the food we grow;
• Comfortable working both individually and in collaboration with school administrators, teachers, parents, and staff;
• Ability to lift/move objects whose weight may approximate or exceed fifty pounds;
• Must be able to provide TB and medical clearance;
• Must be able to pass fingerprint and DOJ clearance;
• CPR and First Aid Certification preferred;
• Wah Mei School requires staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. (Exemptions: Medical and Religious beliefs. However the individual must provide a negative covid test within 72 hours before the start date and a negative covid test every 2 weeks as per SFUSD Guidelines)